"Paranoid" by Black Sabbath

Step into the world of classic heavy metal with LickLibrary’s in-depth guitar lesson for "Paranoid" by Black Sabbath. This track is a staple in rock and metal guitar education, with its raw power, tight riffs, and memorable lead lines. Our note-for-note breakdown delivers every detail of the original performance, giving guitarists a chance to develop both their rhythm and lead playing in the style of one of metal’s founding fathers. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Song and Its Guitarist

"Paranoid" was released in 1970 on Black Sabbath’s second studio album of the same name. The track became one of the band’s biggest hits and a defining song for heavy metal as a genre. The guitarist behind this iconic piece is Tony Iommi, widely regarded as the godfather of heavy metal guitar.

Iommi’s influence stretches across generations of players, from metal and doom to hard rock and grunge. Despite losing the tips of two fingers in an industrial accident, he developed a unique playing style defined by power chords, riff-driven grooves, and dark, haunting lead lines. His approach to tone, technique, and song structure helped create the sonic blueprint for metal music as we know it today.

What You’ll Learn in the Lesson

Our "Paranoid" guitar lesson gives players the tools to master every riff, solo, and transition in the song with expert guidance. Along the way, you'll develop a range of guitar techniques that are essential for any rock or metal guitarist.

Palm Muting

The driving rhythm of "Paranoid" leans heavily on palm muting, giving the track its tight, percussive edge. This technique involves resting the palm lightly on the strings near the bridge while picking, creating a muffled yet powerful sound. Learning palm muting improves your dynamic control and helps you create that classic chug found in rock and metal riffs.

Alternate Picking

The song's main riff and many of the rhythm passages require precise alternate picking. Mastering this technique—where downstrokes and upstrokes are used in rapid succession—is key to playing fast, articulate lines with accuracy. It also builds right-hand coordination and endurance.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Throughout the solos and connecting phrases, you’ll encounter frequent hammer-ons and pull-offs. These legato techniques allow for fluid playing and phrasing, adding expression to your lead work. They also help you improve finger strength and speed across the fretboard.

Power Chords

One of the most defining elements of Iommi’s rhythm playing is his use of power chords. These simple, two-note chords form the backbone of "Paranoid" and countless other rock songs. Power chords provide a thick, aggressive tone, and are essential for rhythm guitarists looking to develop a heavy sound.

String Bending

Expressive lead lines in the solo make use of string bending to emulate vocal-like phrasing. This technique adds emotion and drama to your solos. Practicing bends enhances your pitch control and finger strength.

Vibrato

Complementing the bends is Tony Iommi’s subtle use of vibrato—the slight variation in pitch that adds depth and feeling to sustained notes. Vibrato is a hallmark of expressive lead playing and essential for developing a personal voice on the instrument.

Slides

The song features a number of slides that link phrases smoothly together, creating fluid transitions between riffs and solos. Slides enhance your fretboard mobility and add a vocal quality to your lines.

Benefits of Learning "Paranoid"

Learning "Paranoid" is more than just learning a legendary song—it’s about mastering a toolkit of essential rock techniques in a real-world context. By working through the lesson, players will:

• Improve timing and rhythm with fast-paced alternate picking and palm-muted riffs.
• Build soloing vocabulary with expressive bends, vibrato, and legato phrases.
• Develop foundational skills like power chords and chord transitions.
• Gain insight into the playing style of one of heavy metal’s most influential guitarists.

Whether you're an intermediate player looking to build confidence in rock techniques or an advanced player refining your phrasing, this lesson offers a deep dive into a classic that shaped the genre.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides

Ready to plug in and turn it up? Dive into the LickLibrary guitar lesson for “Paranoid” and experience the riffs, power, and attitude that helped define metal guitar.